JJ Heller - All I Need

Last autumn a friend recommend JJ Heller's album "Painted Red." It was available as a free download through Nov 1 of last year. I downloaded it, since it was a limited thing, but I didn't realize what a treasure I had until a few months later. This cd has been playing almost constantly in my car for the last couple months. I love it. If you get a chance, I suggest you look into JJ Heller's music. I've been inspired and uplifted by it.

Barnes and Noble Haul

Yesterday I took pictures of the books I bought at Barnes and Noble on Saturday, but ALAS!!! Today I cannot find the downloading cord.  *pout*

Alright.

I guess I'll just do it the old fashioned way. 

Passward to Larkspur Lane by Carolyn Keene.  Used $2. I'm quite slowly working on collecting the entire Nancy Drew series.  I just pick them up in used bookstores or thrift shops when I see them. 

The Human Comedy by William Saroyan. 

Whose Body? by Dorothy Sayers

I limited myself to buying ONLY the first three in the Lord Peter series.  I will buy all of them eventually.  Just not all at once.  These are paperback, though, and really quite inexpensive. 

Clouds of Witness by Dorothy Sayers

Unnatural Death by Dorothy Sayers

Life of Pi by Yann Martel.  I picked this one up for a book club.  Looks interesting. :)  Also used.  

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott.  I confess I have never read Ivanhoe.  I've seen the movie though. :)  I think this copy was only $4.99 or something.  I picked it up because I figured no book collection was complete without at least a bit of Sir Walter Scott. 

Dancing Shoes by Noel Streatfeild (also used... $2?).  Something else I'm working on collecting.  The Shoe books.  Although, I'm quite aware that this is going to be a much harder job, since most of them are out of print.  Regardless, I LOVE them and I would LOVE to have all of them. 

Kim by Rudyard Kipling.  Never read, but it was recommended and only $4.99 so I picked it up

I Will Listen

*Written for

Every once in a while I happen upon something someone has written and the words play so close to my heart that I claim them as my own.  This song has been echoing the cries of my own heart beat for beat for a lot years now.  (The Italicized parts are mine)

Hard as it seems

Standing on dreams
Where is the dreamer now

Is there anyone out there whose life went according to plan?  Mine certainly didn't.  Who would've thought at age 27 I'd still be single?  Who would've thought I'd be walking a road with no bend in sight and still carrying the same burdens I've had for so long?  Where is the dreamer?  Right where she was when she was dreaming.  Just... not so many dreams now. 

Wonder if I
Wanted to try
Would I remember how

There are definitely days when I wonder why I ever had the nerve to suppose that my dreams would come true.  There's not much dreaming of happily ever after for me.  I'm busy trying to support myself.  Trying to plan for a future alone.

I don't know the way to go from here

College?  Try to find a better job?  Move?  I don't want to do any of these things.  Keep on right where I'm at?  Is there a future here?

But I know that I have made my choice
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice

I keep coming back to the same place.  He put me here.  He'll move me when the time is right.  His plans are better than mine. 

This is the faith
Patience to wait
When there is nothing clear

My fears of the future collide with each other in their fury.  I can't breathe sometimes.  Sometimes faith has to get way down into the roots of my fear.  Having the faith to have the patience.

Nothing to see
Still we believe
Jesus is very near

He said He wouldn't leave me.  I can't always see Him moving.  Sometimes I wonder if He really IS there...  but, that's the faith.  Having the faith to believe in what we can't see.

I can not imagine what will come
But I've already made my choice

Not a choice to take a turn in my road.  Not a choice to pursue a path or abandon a dream or strike out on my own or give up entirely. 

And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice

My choice is to wait.  To stay.  To listen. 

Could it be that He is only
waiting there to see
If I will learn to love
the dreams that He has
dreamed for me

He promised His plans would be better than mine.

Can't imagine what the future holds
But I've already made my choice
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice

-From "I Will Listen" by Twila Paris

A Confession

I've been lazy about blogging lately.  I apologize.

I'll try to make it up to you all.

We went to a "big city" about an hour away on Saturday.  Just "Us Girls" :)  The main purpose was to go to Barnes and Noble and boy did we go to Barnes and Noble! 
I bought a literal STACK of books, which I can't even remember at the moment.  I mean, I can't remember what books I bought. 
Several Dorothy Sayers, A Rudyard Kipling...  I'll do a post on them soon.  I promise.  Other book-related news, the April Book List will be up Friday!  So, check back for that. 

We also bummed around the mall for a while and had a blast!  I got a new summer top at The Buckle and a couple of Bath and Body Works items.  Wandered around Sephora for a few minutes and bought a nail polish...  So, most of my shopping day (and money :) was spent on books.  Which is just fine with me :) 

I'm in the process of switching computers also, so things are a little up in the air for me right now.  I'm trying to organize files and folders and go through the junk on my old computer and figure out WHAT it all is... mostly things I saved for who-knows-what-reason.  RECYCLE BIN. 

Spring is finally arrived in my yard.  Tiny little hostas are showing.  The lilac tree is budding.  I'm so happy about that!!!

Let's see what else is new...  not much. 

How about you?

April 24th

83 degrees in Wisconsin.

*happy sigh*

Update

I've title this post "Update" instead of "Random"  But, it's the same thing.  :)

• Prom season is upon us again.  Popular colors this year: Fire Engine Red, Various shades of brown, White, and the back for the 3rd year running "Watermelon" (which sounds like it should be a red-ish color, but it's not.  Think Watermelon Gum.  It's a pink-y coral.
• Also, WEDDING SEASON is back at the flower shop and we're jumping in full swing.  I always forget about the color matching griefs we go through...  example: we need a baby pink rose.  Full size.  Plenty of petal count, it has to match in size, shape and petal count the Sahara rose.  We rack our brains.  Light Orlando?  Attache?  Titanic?  Titanic wins.  After a few days of ordering, returning and testing.  This is long before the bouquets are assembled.  That's the easy part.
• Other recent news...  I'm going book shopping on Saturday *squeel*
• I'm needing another cup of coffee.
  

The Girl in 14G - Kristin Chenoweth with lyrics

If you haven't heard Kristin Chenoweth sing, you don't know what you're missing. She's fast becoming one of my favorites. Last week we watched her in the new Music Man (the one with Matthew Broderick) Broderick I could take or leave, but Kristin I loved! And, of course, she's amazing as Galinda in Wicked.

I try to refrain from posting enormous amounts of YouTube videos on my blog, but I think ya'll will really like this one. I do. :)

Dr. Jak's Skin Care Tips

Clean, healthy skin is the ultimate way to have that feminine "glow" :)  Here's some tips for you all based on my own experiences in skin care.  Feel free to ask questions (I'll do my best to answer) or share your own tips!

• CLEAN- Do it twice daily.  You can use a gentle soap or a facial cleanser.  You might need to try a few different products before you find the one that's right for you.  Most products will have helpful hints on the labels, so be sure and read them thoroughly.  I'm currently using the Neutrogena Skin Care products, but I've also used the Biore skin care line and I've heard good things about Aveeno too.  So, there's some suggestions for you. :) 
  

  
        No matter what you use there's a few rules of thumb that will help you.
                Tie or clip your HAIR back or wrap it up in a towel.
                  You don't want dried soap residue around your hair line. :)
                Use WARM WATER.  Warm water will open your pores
                   and assist the cleanser in cleaning out any impurities. 
                Work the soap up into a good LATHER, using your hands. 
                SCRUB! :)  Concentrate especially on problem areas.
                    For me this is around my nose and my eyebrows.  I
                      seem  to have the most breakout in these areas. 
                RINSE thoroughly.  Again using WARM WATER.
                PAT dry with a clean towel.

• Use an ASTRINGENT.  I only do this every couple of days or so unless I have a breakout or zit that I want to get rid of quickly.  :)  If you have acne problems you might want to do it more often until the acne clears up.  Again brands like Neutrogena and Biore make astringents that are designed to clean out your pores and prevent breakouts before they start.  I prefer to use Witch Hazel or LEMON JUICE.  I pour a little on a cotton ball and scrub my face with it.  Lemon juice also helps to fade skin blemishes and tighten your pores.  It's also very effective for acne.  I can't recommend lemon juice facials enough.  Rinse with cool water.

• MOISTURIZE.  This is a very important step.  No matter what kind of skin you have you NEED to moisturize.  Make sure you use a moisturizer specifically designed for facial use.  Never use a hand lotion for your face.  Your facial skin is completely different and much more sensitive than the rest of your body, so it needs special care and pampering. :)  I like to use Pond's Moisturizing Cream because I have dry skin.  But, if your skin type is different, if you have oily skin for example, you may want to experiment with something else.   
  

  
        Here's how to apply it. 
                WASH your hands. 
                Depending on what moisturizer your using, you should use approximately a NICKEL to a QUARTER SIZE amount of moisturizer.
                DOT it onto your face and neck
                AVOID your eye area.  (You need to use a specific EYE CREAM for your eyes.  This step is optional. My eyes droop when I'm tired, which seems to be often :) so I do use an eye cream by Neutrogena.)
                MASSAGE the moisturizer into your skin well, using circular motions.
                If you're going to apply a foundation over top you need to let your moisturizer SOAK into your skin for about 3 minutes first.

There are lots of other special treatments you can do for your skin if you desire,
or if you feel you need an extra-deep cleaning. I recommend applying a

• FACIAL MASK because it's a great way to perk your skin up.  

It takes some time, so make sure you have 30 minutes or so to do it.
There are lots of different facial masks and I have certainly not tried all of them, but most of them work on the same principle. You RUB it on, let it DRY and PEEL it off.  Look for a mask that has natural ingredients like AVOCADO, CUCUMBER and HONEY.  Any of the ingredients I just mentioned can also be applied on their own and left for 30 minutes or so and then RINSED off with WARM WATER followed by COLD WATER to close the pores.  

Hopefully these are some helpful tips for you.  I'd be happy to try to answer any questions so please ask!

April Child

Dear April Child
are you dreaming of June?
Like a tender young flower
awaiting summer's bloom
Sweet April Child
in the springtime of youth
what a glorious season
it is yours, let it shine through

(Italian Singing)
Of what begins to wake
(Italian Singing)
Let it grow inside of you

(Italian Singing)
Of what begins to wake
(Italian Singing)
Let it grow inside of you

Sweet April Child
it's the spring of your youth
cherish these precious days
Summer comes all too soon

Dear April Child
Still dreaming of June

Another Random Post

• I wonder why I can't get myself organized enough to do REAL posts?
• It's Friday night which means, I'm exhausted.  I think I've had a headached every day this week, and from what I can remember every day last week, too.  I don't know if this makes me more tired, or not... but, it is annoying.
• Another CRAZY day at the flower shop... why must people be so RUDE?
• I have no inclination to cook.  Nada.  Netither do either of my roomies (sisters)...  shall we starve?
• I want to do another contest giveaway for you guys, but I have no ideas on what to give away.... anyone have any ideas?  I'm open to suggestions.
• Have a great weekend everyone!
  

Mid-week stuff

• Yesterday I cleaned my living room, which in Rebecca-World means I did some re-decorating.  Just little stuff.  Nothing too major.  I cleaned off the window seat and arranged some books and things with pictures on it.  Maybe I'll take a picture later.  Taking pictures of windows is so hard, with the light coming in, etc.  Plus I couldn't find the camera... but I will.
• Made guacomole for dinner.  yum!
• Oh yes!  Found my 4th volume of the Complete Works of Shakespeare at Mom and Dad's house.  I've been missing it for a while, and now I remember that Mom borrowed it to read The Tempest.  So, now my set is complete again.  They're very old books, that Great Grandma C gave me out of her collection... a long time ago.  
• Currently reading: Lord Peter Views the Body.  <3  I love Dorothy Sayers book, but for some reason I can't seem to read many of them.  I'll have to remedy that.  And I think I have a teensy tiny crush on Lord Peter..... *hides*
• Luke came over yesterday for an hour and helped me 1)Buy a purple nail polish 2)Watch Enchanted 3)Clean the living room 4)Put the Pringles in the refrigerator. :)
• I'm sure there are more interesting things than this going on in my life, why can't I think of them?
• I want to encourage everyone to stop by the IDD BLOG and let us know what you think.  And please, if you like it, pass it on!  We're posting encouraging, informative articles every day but Sunday and we would LOVE to have your input! 
  

Sound of Music | Central Station Antwerp (Belgium)

This is so incredible!! Don't you wish you had been there?

(ok, I'm trying not to post a bunch of YouTube videos every week, but you have to admit, this one is spectacular)

Dreary Monday

"Into every life a little rain must fall... some days must be cold and dark and dreary..."
I always used to think that was Shakespeare.
It's not.  I can't remember who the author is... but, it's not the Bard.

Well, I got through another VERY eventful weekend.  Plenty of things happening, plenty of people to see. 
Busy people get much accomplished. 

So far this morning, I have

• agonized over the shop computer
• delivered flowers on a VERY windy day
• Helped a co-worker design flower arrangements for her 40th wedding anniversary party.  Which was a total blast. I love working with people that WANT  cool, funky design, and love what I love.
• Cleaned out the display cooler (it's broken.... AGAIN)
• Watered the plants
• Went to DQ for a late lunch

And now I'm eating my late lunch.

amazing girl

Wow. This truly is amazing. HOW in the world do you do that with your voice?

You Can't Take it With You

Homeschool Play 2009 :)

Here's my sister Lydia as Mrs. Anthony Kirby.  I forget her first name... Miriam???

She faints.

Three times.

My brother Joe as Mr. "Twitch" Blakely.  The overworked real estate agent with the nasty twitch in his eye entire left side. 

Here... I'm not sure what we're doing...
I'm sure it was fun.  It looks fun. 

 

On Aging

I think I'm having belated reactions to my birthday a couple months ago.

Have you ever had that birthday?  You know... the depressing one?

Well, I thought 25 was bad.  Then I turned 26.  I had JUST gotten accustomed to being 25; and then I realized.  26 is older than 25.  I tried to keep my depression on the down-low.  Whenever I mentioned the shock at the passing of time and my own aging, I usually got about the same kind of response.  Some variation of: "You're not OLD!"

So, I'm not really.  But, still, I took 26 hard and I spent a lot of time wondering where my early 20s went to.  And trying to remember what I did with them.  Were there any accomplishments to speak of?  Did I make any significant advancements in life?  None were apparent.  I felt like the same person I was at 18, when I graduated from high school, put my life in God's hands, and settled in to wait on direction.
That was a tough birthday.  And for about 6 months afterward.

Then I turned 27.

I sort of dreaded this birthday, especially after my experience with the last one.  (Which, by the way, does not seem that it possibly could have been a year ago?)  But, it seemed to go pretty well.  The day was uneventful for the most part.  I still don't FEEL 27, and I certainly don't LOOK it... (some people still guess my age at 18 :) but, it went well.

Or so I thought.

Then it happened.

I found a gray hair.

By now you are probably thinking that I am a horribly dramatic person who is very easily thrown off her rocker.

Nothing brings the passage of time closer to home for me than repetition.  There are certain events that are regular as clockwork in my life.  Yearly events.  For instance the homeschool play that my brother and sister were in last weekend.  I remember sitting in that same auditorium 12 months ago thinking: "The next play is a YEAR away.  That's such a long time.  A lot can happen in a year.  Maybe next year, I won't be sitting here alone."  And, 24 months ago?  Same thing.  36 months ago?  Yep.  This is hard to admit, so bear with me?

I'm content being single.  I really am.  I'm enjoying it.  But, I'm one of those people that is always alone in a crowd.  Nothing makes me feel more desolate than a full house.  Have you ever been in a theater and noticed how many people are paired up?  Very few people go to these things alone.  Of course, I don't go strictly alone; I go with my (huge) family.  So, maybe I have no right to let the loneliness creep up on me and sit on my shoulders.

But, (even though it's hard) I'm being honest here.  Loneliness hurts.  It hurts to go to the same events year after year and watch the couples.  It's hard to watch everyone younger than you married and toting babies.  It's hard to know that people that know me wonder if I'll EVER find a guy.

Mostly, it's hard to realize that another year has gone by (and they keep coming faster and faster) and I'm still single.  And I'm sitting in the same auditorium again, with a couple in front of me.  And one behind me; and one on the left, and one on the right, and know that (based on previous experience) next year it will probably be the same.

And that's why I struggle with birthdays.  Not because I feel old.  Not really because I found a gray hair.  (Because, seriously, it's ONE gray hair) It's because it's another reminder that time marches on.  And that I'm not where I thought I'd be. 

I'm not sharing this with you all because I'm trying to get you depressed.  I'm saying it because it's true in my life.  And I have a feeling there are other young women out there feeling the same way.  I know that I'm exactly where I should be.  I know my future is in God's hands.  I know He loves me.
But, that doesn't mean that sometimes I don't hurt.  It just means that when I DO hurt He comforts me. 
And, maybe if we're honest with each other, and share our hurts, we can comfort each other?

Monday, Monday

What a weekend!
Mercy me.
Ok, our local homeschool group had their play last weekend.  They did "You Can't Take it With You" based on the play and the movie by Frank Capra. 

My brother Joe and my sister Lydia were both in the play and (I might be a TEENSY bit biased, but they were both awesome.  Of course.  :)  I'm going to show ya'll some pictures as soon as I get the camera back. 

So, there were 2 performances, Friday night and Saturday night and of course we went both nights.  And then, Grandpa and Grandma visited and came to the play so we spent time with them. 

Sunday morning was supposed to be this crazy weather day.  ???  So, we stayed home from church.  The church we go to is a half hour drive so, it's not right in town.  Nothing really happened.  With the weather I mean.  We did make it to the Volunteer Fire Departments Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser though.  :)

After that...  regular stuff.  Laundry, catching up on reading, watching some Robin Hood :), relaxing.

Someone asked if I could share more fahion stuff.  I do love fashion and I'd love to share with you all every time I go shopping and buy something new that I love, but that kind of feels like bragging, to me... plus, I don't want you all doing mental math trying to figure out how much money I'm spending.  I don't spend a lot.  Trust me.  But, for those of you that are interested.... :)

I DID get a new purse recently that I'm loving.  Purses are a hobby.  I think I may have mentioned that before.

I wonder if it looks kind of boring in this picture?

Anyway, it is kind of on the large side, but that's great for me, because I carry EVERYTHING in my purse. 
And the color here is pretty true. 
I've been finding that I love colored accessories like this:

Black and brown are great to have, but I'm picky about my purse matching my outfit (or, at least, not CLASHING) and it's such a pain to have to transfer my stuff every other day to a new purse.  This color goes with mostly everything. 

I love it. 


So, that's the deal right now...  keep ideas coming, guys!!  I'm really wanting to post more recipes, but to perfectly frank, the reason you haven't seen any lately is... I haven't been cooking much.  Well, of course, I've been cooking.  Just nothing interesting.  Mainly throwing stuff together to scarf down in a hurry.  *sad*

Things will slow down soon.  Maybe.  :)



 

Has this blog been boring lately?

Be honest. 

I need some inspiration people.  Anything you'd like to see more of?

March Book List

31. The Vile Village by Lemony Snicket- (*****)

32.  Theater Shoes by Noel Strefeild- (****)  Very cute.  :)

34.  Mr. Parker Pyne, Detective by Agatha Christie- (*****) Short stories.  Very fun.   Parker Pyne is a fun character.  I wish Christie had written more books about him. 

35.  Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale- (***) 3 stars. Beautifully woven plot, enchanting story, very exciting and gripping. Only 3 stars because there were a couple of things I didn't care for so I hesitate to recommend without a slight warning. Firstly, that this book is of the fantasy genre if you object to that. Secondly, that I do not and never will understand the fascination with skinwalkers. Ick. But this is the first book I've read of Hale's and I will be checking out more of her books. She has a beautiful gift with words.

36.  Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster- (*****)  This book is adorable-ness.  Recommended by my friend Krista  How does she always find such awesome books???

37.  And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie- (****) I didn't know what I was getting into when I started this one.  How was I to know it would completely freak me out?  ME!  I read mysteries by the dozens!  I'm a Christie fanatic!  I've never read a Christie novel that did this to me.  The howling wind, creaky house and dark, dark night didn't help at all either.  According to my research...  this is the most widely read and most famous of Christie's novels.  There are many film adaptations.  All of which change the ending.  Actually, to be fair, Christie herself changed the ending when she adapted it to the stage, because she realized (rightly) that the book just didn't translate to stage.  So, she made the end much less creepy and far more romantic. I haven't seen any of the movies, but I'm guessing they'll maybe be easier to watch than the book was to read?  ALSO! Do not start this book late at night.  Of course, I couldn't put it down!  I would have had bizzarre dreams all night wondering who the insane murderer was!  The plot and story telling in this book are absolutely stellar.  But, be warned!  Deliciously horrific. 

38.  The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket- (*****) When I first started reading the Series of Unfortunate Events (about a year ago) I was talking with my friend Maureen about them.  She warned me that the first four books were rather formulaic but the series gets better as it goes along.  Having read the whole series, now (a few times:) I have to say I totally agree.  If you want to start reading the Unfortunate Events, persevere through the first four.  They're great, but somewhat the same thing over and over again, and don't start thinking "oh my gosh, 13 books like this!?!" because the farther you read the better they get.  In Book #8 The Hostile Hospital Snicket brings a whole new meaning to the term "No news is good news", or as he prefers to say: "No news is no news" and "Stiletto Heels"  ouch. 

39.  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- (*****)  Reviewed Here

40. Split Ends by Kristin Billerbeck (**)  Just ok.  Not highly recommended.  The writing was witty in some spots, and the characters like-able.  But, the timing was confusing, I often thought a week had passed when in actuality it had only been a day?  Or, a few hours?  Unrealistic.  WAY a lot of dialogue.  Normally I prefer dialogue, but for crying out loud! When two characters have a conversation for 5 pages and they never actually resolve any issues or come to any sort of conclusion, it gets a little old.  I skimmed through some parts when I got bored. 

41.  Austenland by Shannon Hale- (***) Classic example of: "I can't recommend this book to just anyone because of too much inappropriate stuff"  Wish I could, though.  The story has a lot of potential.  Classic Jane-Austen-Extreme-Addict tries to get over her addiction by total immersion method.  Quite hilarious in some parts.  Very laughable.  But, seriously, do we have to have so much... STUFF?  PG-13 rating.  By that, I mean, anybody over 13 WITH a parents permission.  And if you're a person with parents (ok, if you're under 18) and your parents want to know if this book is ok for you to read... sorry.  I'd say no if they asked my opinion.  That aside.... I enjoyed the story.  I don't know if I'd shelf it with my faves, but it was enjoyable and I read it in a couple of hours on a quiet Saturday.  So, time not totally wasted.  And, like I said up a couple of reviews ^ I'll definitely be looking into more Shannon Hale.  I like her style.  It intrigues me. 

42.  At All Costs by Carolyn Keene- (***) Yes, I'm 27 years old and I still read Nancy Drew.  It's like downtime for me.  A nice trip down memory lane.  When I read Nancy Drew I'm 14, laying on my bed, surrounded by horse posters and getting that little thrill down my spine.  My only concern is whether or not I'll be able to finish the book before one of the little sibs finds me and makes me help them with something.  Back then I used to escape into books.  Well, I still do. :)

43.  Princess Academy- (****)  Sweet and inspiring, Shannon Hale has an amazing gift with words.

44.  The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket- (*****) :)

45.  The Human Comedy by William Saroyan- (****) A very poignant story.  It's a coming-of-age story on many different levels.  Not just for Homer (the main character) but his little brother, older brother, the people he works with, just about every character in this book is learning to cope with the realities of life and death in World War 2 California.  Homer is only 14 but is forced to grow up fast when his older brother goes to war (their father has died a few years before).  He takes a job delivering telegrams, doing what he can to support his family, declaring he'll "make all the money this family needs."  I found this tale deeply moving and would recommend it to anyone.  It's not an easy read, but the format is very palatable. 

Abduction Club

My friends and I have recently fallen in love with a new movie. The Abduction Club. We love it. As one of my friends has said: "They should have called it The Addiction Club." I just had to share the addiction.

Here's a trailer for your enjoyment.

Perhaps the best chick flick ever? And based on true events, so educational! :)

One or two crude comments in the beginning... otherwise, quite clean. It's only REAL problem is that it hasn't yet been released on Region 1 DVD, so... unless you've got a multi-region DVD player, you're out of luck. *sigh*